"What the hell are you talking about?" I pulled karl's hand away from my mouth
"You need to tell my mom you quit, make something up if you have to. Do whatever it takes to get fired and leave here" he faintly spoke above a whisper, like he was trying to hide from someone
"Quit? But...I just started. Where is this coming from?" I planned to work here so karl and I could still talk to each other without him having to sneak out and risk getting caught by his mom all the time, but all he wanted me to do was leave.
"No time to explain, you need to go before she comes looking for me" karl took my hand and started to walk to the door, but I pulled away.
"No: Yes time to explain: what is going on? I came here to get a job in the castle for you: I know that sneaking away is hard when you are a prince and you got your mom on your back, and I thought it would be cool if I worked here cause you wouldn't get in trouble for leaving all the time, AND we could still hang out and talk and stuff. I thought you would be happy, but you act like you don't want to even SEE me??" It was getting hard for me to stay quiet: I was hurt, and I wanted an answer
"NO NO, that's not it, I *sigh*" he hung his head before continuing
"I hate being here: these walls feel like a prison cell. I know it was risky, me sneaking out, but I needed it...more than you know. Its great that you are working here to make life easy for me, but I'm afraid that if you stay...you'll grow to hate it here too, and you'll want to leave and never come back"
He looked up at me again, and I could see the pain reflected in his eyes
"Karl, listen: I came back to stay. Okay? Nothing is going to drive me away this time. They want me to leave, they got to drag me out kicking and screaming!" I tried to lighten the mood
"Like that one time as kids when bad had to drag you out of the river because you almost drowned trying to get an axolotl in a rusty bucket?" karl started to smile
"hey I'M STILL MAD ABOUT THAT...but yes" wow...I hadn't thought about that in years
Karl started to laugh, and that made me laugh: the though of little me with that bucket trying to catch a fish was actually really funny. Our laughter filled the room
I couldn't remember the last time I laughed like this, or talked about bad like that and not feel sad. It was nice
The moment was abruptly broken when a stream of light pored on us as the door to the library opened: puffy stood in the door way, a servant was next to her holding a torch.
"Oh my goodness THERE you are: I have been looking for you" she spoke looking at us
"Oh, uh hi mom: I'm sorry I was just he--"he was interrupted
"NOT YOU! Not everything is about you dear: I was referring to your friend" she gestured over to me
Wait am I in trouble, what did I do? Dammit
"Me?" I was starting to grow anxious
"Yes, I have a special offer for you. You see, a neighboring kingdom and ally is having a ball tomorrow night in celebration of my crowing as queen and karl and I are going by carriage. However I was informed that one of my guards who was to accompany us was assaulted today outside the castle doors and badly hurt."
"Oh my gosh really? What happened?" the guards here did not look like a joke, so what could have happened to hurt one of them that badly?
"I am not sure: apparently someone with pink hair was mad at him or something I don't know--ANYWAY: I have no one else to take his place and act as guard and escort to the ball. I need someone I can trust, and who better than an old friend." she smiled at me
I didn't know what to say: being a royal guard and escort to the queen and prince. I would get to be around royalty, almost like I was one of them! It could also be the perfect time to hang out with karl outside of the castle without worrying about getting in trouble! There are literally no down sides!!
"Wow...I don't know what to say: that is a very generous offer"
"How about a yes?"
Things are looking up, and they keep getting better and better!!!
"It would be an honor: thank you your majesty" I felt awkward as I said the last part, but it was all I could think to address her as now
"OH NO dear, you can call me puffy" she winked slightly with a sweet smile
I smiled back and nodded to her. She turned to leave, leaving the door open. I looked to karl and grew concerned: he suddenly looked like he was about to pass out.
"Hey? Karl-Karl are you feeling alright?" I moved closer to him, ready to catch him if he falls
"A ball!!? She didn't tell me about this! This is the first time I am hearing of it--A BALL!?!? LIKE WITH ALL THE BORN ROYAL PEOPLE ALL TOGETHER IN FANCY DRESSES AND TALKING TO EACHOTHER?? I don't know how to do that??? I'll feel all weird there: they'll know I'm not a born royal" he started to sweat
"WOAH there, slow down: it's just a ball. Nothing more than a glorified house party: you'll be fine. It's just a bunch of people standing around and talking, and HEY: if you need someone to talk to, I'll be there!...Don't stress dude, it's all gooooodd" I tried to ease his nerves
"mmmmm, fine" I could hear the slight hesitation in his voice
"Great, but no one is going to have a good time if we are tired. I should probably get going" I started to wave and walk away.
"Wait I'll walk with you!"
He caught up to me and we walked the rest of the hall and down to the entrance. We said our goodbyes at the door and I started making my way through the dark streets back to the tavern.
As I walked in, I saw a small group of guys huddled together in a corner table; techno was behind the counter.
"Oh, your back. That's good, because I thought you got your dam head chopped off" he said sarcastically. He's probably still upset at for leaving him earlier
"Just narrowly escaped actually: epic fight scene, near death battle y'know? *small laugh* Speaking of fighting, I heard you beat up a guard for bread money" I walked and sat down at the bar
"Oh yeah: bastard had it coming the way he threw me out! Why, what happened?"
"Oh nothing...I just got promoted to ROYAL GUARD"
"WHAT??? No fucking way!"
"HELL YEAH: I am technically just a metal worker, but there is a ball tomorrow night and they needed another guard cause you beat up that guy and she asked me PERSONALLY!"
"DUDE that is awesome! Who would have though that violence would be so rewarding. Congrats man: here"
He pushed a drink in front of me as he poured himself one. I raised my glass and he did the same.
"To violence! and the fancy ass rich people that like balls" techno laughed and we downed our drinks
"Well I'd love to stay and drink, buuuuuuut I don't want to be tired for my royal duties tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow" I said as I stood up and started walking to the stairs
"Alright man, see you tomorrow!" techno waved
As I reached the stairs, I looked over again to that group of guys at the corner table and noticed that I recognized a few of them: they were from the forge.
Cool, wonder if they come here regularly.
I started up the stairs and to my room, ready to sleep the night away and get to tomorrow.
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Bruh it is 3 am and I have school tomorrow someone sedate me fuck
YOU ARE READING
King Magnus and his Bumble Bee (Karlnap)
Hayran KurguSapnap and Karl lived happily together in the kingdom of Corinth until a war caused Sapnap to be banished. After 13 years, the two are reunited, and slowly realize that time has changed both them and the very nature of their friendship. They begin t...
